CHSAA Class 4A state baseball preview: Names, storylines to watch

The Class 4A baseball tournament begins Friday in Colorado Springs, and runs through next weekend. Here are names and storylines to watch in the eight-team field, where any school is capable of making a run to the title.

No. 1 Palisade (23-2, Western Slope League champions) run-ruled its way through regionals to the program’s first state tournament berth in 37 years. Palisade hasn’t won a state title since 1969. The Bulldogs feature senior centerfielder/right-hander Ryder Mancuso (Webster University), senior third baseman Aidan Bevan (Kentucky Christian University), senior shortstop/right-hander Melesio Perez (Trinidad), junior catcher Brett Rozman, junior infielder/right-hander Josh Zotto, junior outfielder/right-hander Ryker Harsha, junior outfielder Nicholas Campbell and junior first baseman Braden Blanck.

Coach Nate Porter’s take: “We need to play selfless baseball… We have been very fortunate in that regard (of not having to deal with adversity). All the players have been good student-athletes and have bought into the philosophy we preach and teach.”

No. 2 D’Evelyn (17-8, 4A Jeffco League runner-up) is seeking its first state title after mercy-ruling Rifle in the regional championship. The Jaguars feature junior shortstop Colin Kim (Colorado School of Mines), junior outfielder/third baseman Heath Perry, junior catcher Kannon Perry and junior right-hander Tate Aurich.

Coach Dan Porreco’s take: “We were in the Final Four last year, so our kids are hungry to get back there. We’ve got unfinished business. We had a rough start to our season (with a 1-5 record), and we’re finally gaining some momentum… The best moment of our season has really been the last 10 games, as we’ve really started to play well. We’re coming together as a team, which is so important in this tournament… Everybody left has a couple really good pitchers.”

No. 3 Golden (21-4, 4A Jeffco League champions) outscored Mountain View and Pueblo East by a combined 21-1 in regionals and seeks its second title (first since 2003). The Demons feature senior right-hander/outfielder Ethan Lewis (Yale), junior right-hander/outfielder Laif Palmer, sophomore first baseman Braeden McCarroll and junior third baseman Jaydon Hord.

Coach Jackie McBroom’s take: “We have a solid all-around team. Strong on the mound, at the plate and defensively. If we play our game, we can beat anyone in the state… A trip to Alabama early in the season over spring break (gave us adversity). We played very good competition and went 0-3, but have only lost one game since then. We were 2-3 coming home from that trip, and we’re on 16-game win streak now.”

No. 4 Northfield (22-3, Denver Prep League champions) is coming off the program’s first DPS title and is also making its first state tournament appearance. The Nighthawks feature senior shortstop (University of Puget Sound), junior catcher Thomas Worrh, junior second baseman/right-hander Mason Sukigara, senior utility Jakob Koinzan, junior third baseman/right-hander Cal Baughman and junior left-hander/first baseman Frank Willius.

Coach Alphonso Campbell’s take: “(Our key is) hit, play clean defense, no free passes…. We faced some injuries early in the year, but we were able to sustain and build chemistry. It’s been a ‘next guy up’ mentality all season.”

Plus, don’t count out…. No. 5 Ponderosa (18-7) is the defending state champion led by senior shortstop Dylan Carey (Nebraska), who blasted four homers in regionals and is just one bat in a stacked lineup… No. 6 Erie (17-7) is led by senior center fielder/first baseman Sam Stem (Gonzaga) and junior left-hander Ethan Dillinger… No. 7 Severance (18-7) held off Pueblo County in a 6-5 thriller in the regional title and is led by junior third baseman/right-hander Nolan Hertzke and senior right-hander/shortstop Carson Fagan (University of Mary)… No. 8 Cheyenne Mountain (19-6) threw up two shutouts in regionals and is led by senior catcher Denton Damgaard and junior right-hander Ben Myers.

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